A very impressive Kangxi period Chinese export porcelain ewer decorated in Famille Verte enamels with a central design featuring a bird perched upon a flowering branch beneath the mask of a bearded man which looks down from under the ewer’s spout, the floral motif continues throughout the piece within decorative bands of lappet borders. This sort of form was taken directly from French silver forms of the period as many important silver objects were melted down to help pay for the ruinously expensive wars of Louis XIV. Fine imported Chinese porcelain was then ordered as replacements for the melted silver wares and became the new benchmark of luxury and status. This wonderful ewer was used for ablutions at the banquet or dressing table, or occasionally to pour wine and was made in two sizes, this one being the larger of the two. Measuring 10 1/2″ x 9″ and with only glaze losses restored to the handle, small loss to the mask;s nose, and a restoration to the edge of the spout, otherwise very good condition, a magnificent example of French baroque silver brilliantly interpreted in Chinese export porcelain. Late 17th/early 18th century.